“I’m truly honored by this distinction for the fourth consecutive year,” said Kurt Newman, MD, President and CEO of Children’s National. “It is a testament to the excellent work provided by our entire care team, and to our dedication to delivering the highest quality healthcare to children regionally, nationally, and internationally so they may have the best chance at a bright future.”

While recognized in these 10 specialty areas, Children’s National is more than just a hospital but is a full pediatric health system. Through innovative research, primary care, or advocating on behalf of children’s mental health care needs, Children’s National is dedicated to improving the lives of children. Children’s is a member of the elite U.S. pediatric research institutions that marry cutting-edge research to high-quality care within the same facility. It is a top ranked freestanding children’s hospital, receiving National Institutes of Health funding for pediatric research. Children’s National is a Magnet® designated hospital, recognized for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

“Children’s National Health System deserves high praise,” said U.S. News Health Rankings Editor Avery Comarow. “We know how important it is to parents to have confidence in pediatric centers that show dedication and expertise in caring for a child facing a life-threatening, rare or demanding illness.”

U.S.News introduced the Best Children’s Hospitals rankings in 2007 to help families of sick children find the best medical care available. The rankings offer families an exclusive look at quality-related information at the individual hospital level.

This year, six of Children’s specialties ranked in the top 15: cancer, gastroenterology and GI surgery, neonatology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, and urology. Additionally, neonatology is ranked in the top ten for the seventh consecutive year. Five areas also improved in their rankings from the previous year, including cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, gastroenterology and GI surgery, neonatology, and urology.

The methodology behind this year’s rankings weighed a three-part blend of reputation, outcome, and care-related measures such as nursing care, advanced technology, credentialing, and other factors. The hospitals were judged based on a combination of opinions from pediatric specialists about the hospitals they would recommend for the sickest children and data gathered in a survey covering important medical information.

For complete details about the rankings, visit the U.S.News and World Report website or pick up a copy of the print edition in August.

Contact: Emily Hartman or Caitlyn Camacho at 202-476-4500.

About Children’s National Health System

Children’s National Health System, based in Washington, DC, has been serving the nation’s children since 1870. Children’s National is Magnet® designated, and is consistently ranked among the top pediatric hospitals by U.S.News & World Report. Home to the Children’s Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children’s National is one of the nation’s top NIH-funded pediatric institutions. With a community-based pediatric network, seven regional outpatient centers, an ambulatory surgery center, two emergency rooms, an acute care hospital, and collaborations throughout the region, Children’s National is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as an advocate for all children. For more information, visit ChildrensNational.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.